Trimmer comparison- need to replace my Husqvarna 323

[treenerd]

Was just bragging about how tough my 3-yr old Husq. 323 was last week, and then the shaft broke- possibly the gear head too- haven't taken it apart yet to verify, but just thinking I might buy a new one. A dealer nearby is heavily promoting Red Maxx. Don't know anything about them but I've heard through some reviews that they are not easy to start. Looking for some advice on the differences between commercial Stihl, Echo or Red Maxx. I should mention that I'm a short woman, and ease of starting is important, as is a well-balanced machine.

 

[jimrs]

I bought an Echo trimmer in 1999. I just replaced with another. I just did not want to work on the old one but with a fuel system cleaning it would still do the job just fine. And both are the cheap ones.

 

[BrokenTiller]

I am going on my 9th year with my Ryobi trimmer. A year or two ago, the shaft broke and I replaced it myself, and this year the clutch disks broke and I just replaced them as well. I believe the clutch disks had actually broken long ago and the clutch locking up is actually what caused the shaft to break, but I don't know for sure. Now that I fixed the clutch on it, the thing starts just as easy as I ever could've asked for. Other than those two repairs, the only other thing I've ever done to it was put a new spark plug in this spring and put a little bit of sea foam in the gas the last 2 summers. Up until last year I never even specifically ran the tank empty or put fuel stabilizer in it or anything. Before I fixed the clutch it was getting really hard to start and I thought it was on its way out and I was contemplating what brand to replace it with - leaning toward Echo or Stihl. But as I've thought about it, if it died tomorrow I'm not sure I wouldn't go buy another Ryobi...

 

[TexasBackyardShed]

I am going on my 9th year with my Ryobi trimmer. A year or two ago, the shaft broke and I replaced it myself, and this year the clutch disks broke and I just replaced them as well. I believe the clutch disks had actually broken long ago and the clutch locking up is actually what caused the shaft to break, but I don't know for sure. Now that I fixed the clutch on it, the thing starts just as easy as I ever could've asked for. Other than those two repairs, the only other thing I've ever done to it was put a new spark plug in this spring and put a little bit of sea foam in the gas the last 2 summers. Up until last year I never even specifically ran the tank empty or put fuel stabilizer in it or anything. Before I fixed the clutch it was getting really hard to start and I thought it was on its way out and I was contemplating what brand to replace it with - leaning toward Echo or Stihl. But as I've thought about it, if it died tomorrow I'm not sure I wouldn't go buy another Ryobi...

I wouldn't buy a Ryobi. You had one from the good days. Now, there just a rebranded Homelite.

 

[exotion]

I wouldn't buy a Ryobi. You had one from the good days. Now, there just a rebranded Homelite.

So are the toro equivalent of the ryobi

 

[Carscw]

I wouldn't buy a Ryobi. You had one from the good days. Now, there just a rebranded Homelite.

I use a ryobi trimmer 5 tank fills of gas every day 6 days a week for over a year now start first or second pull.
Never have had to do any repairs to it not even a plug or primer bulb

Well worth the $129.00

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))

 

[Ric]

Was just bragging about how tough my 3-yr old Husq. 323 was last week, and then the shaft broke- possibly the gear head too- haven't taken it apart yet to verify, but just thinking I might buy a new one. A dealer nearby is heavily promoting Red Maxx. Don't know anything about them but I've heard through some reviews that they are not easy to start. Looking for some advice on the differences between commercial Stihl, Echo or Red Maxx. I should mention that I'm a short woman, and ease of starting is important, as is a well-balanced machine.

Personally I'd stat away from Redd Maxx. I ran a couple of Echos for a year and they went to crap so we went with the Stihl stuff and after running the Stihl I'd never go back to Echo anything.

 

[exotion]

I use a ryobi trimmer 5 tank fills of gas every day 6 days a week for over a year now start first or second pull.
Never have had to do any repairs to it not even a plug or primer bulb

Well worth the $129.00

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))

I find it interesting... a while back you were saying how high end your work is and yet you talk about using some of the lowest end junk for your work if I payed someone to do my lawn and they pulled up with trash on their trailer like craftsman mowers and ryobi trimmers...I would laugh and tell them to leave.

 

[edd]

i cut the first few years with the cheap stuff....,didnt want to go deep in debt till i knew it would work out......as we added more customers through the years i began to replace homeowner equipment with commercial......i see people starting out with the most expensive equipment they can buy.....i guess they think debt load means more business.......several of them lasted 2-3 years and went under......one man offered to sell me all his equipment[ rerris,red max,trailer,everything ] this year. he was in business 3 years. never could get enough yards to get his name out there or cover his equipment payments,much less make a profit. expensive equipment dont translate into work ethic

 

[exotion]

i cut the first few years with the cheap stuff....,didnt want to go deep in debt till i knew it would work out......as we added more customers through the years i began to replace homeowner equipment with commercial......i see people starting out with the most expensive equipment they can buy.....i guess they think debt load means more business.......several of them lasted 2-3 years and went under......one man offered to sell me all his equipment[ rerris,red max,trailer,everything ] this year. he was in business 3 years. never could get enough yards to get his name out there or cover his equipment payments,much less make a profit. expensive equipment dont translate into work ethic

There is to many different options. Homelight ryobi green werks yard man and craftsman. To me is bottom shelf. Echo homeowner grade toro and honda and some others are middle shelf. Then commercial grade stuff are high end.

My point is that there are better options than bottom shelf stuff. In our work professionalism is half the battle people drive an old rusted ford with plywood racks towing a rusted truck bed trailer with craftsman homelight and ryobi tools in it are not as professional as someone driving a decent looking truck no matter the year or make. Towing a nice looking trailer with middle shelf equipment.